Gulls fall behind early, lose second game in a row

Despite sitting in second place in the AHL’s Pacific Division, the San Diego Gulls have made a habit of getting behind early and getting out-shot in games.

They both happened again on Sunday in Stockton as the Heat (26-18-2-3) scored a 4-2 victory over the Gulls (28-19-1), which lost for the second time in a row after an eight-game winning streak.

Stockton scored 1 minute, 43 seconds into the game and had a 2-0 lead before San Diego’s Alex Dostie made it 2-1 after 20 minutes. The Heat peppered Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle with 18 shots in that period while San Diego had just eight.

“It’s on us,” said Corey Tropp, who scored his 12th goal of the season in the third period to make it 3-2 in the third period only to see Stockton put it away with four minutes left. “The coaching staff did their job. They give us the game plan and for some reason we didn’t start the game on time. We preached that all day. It’s disappointing.”

Tropp set a franchise record record with his 38th career goal to pass Antoine Laganiere (37).

“We got a fast break there, a 2-on-1,” said Tropp. “I just slid it over to Sammy (Sam Carrick) and he made a great play to slide it back and we scored. It gave us a chance but you are not going to have success in this league if you don’t start. For some reason we didn’t have it tonight and we have got to figure that out. The games are not any easier the rest of the way. We are playing playoff games every night so we have got to figure it out and find it quickly.

The Gulls were 0-for-4 on the power play while not allowing the Heat to score with the extra man on the three chances it had.

Tropp said scoring on the power play is crucial.

“You have got to capitalize,” he said. “Special teams win games and we didn’t get the job done. Each guy on that power play has got to take a look in the mirror and realize that we might only get one a night the rest of the way and we have got to be ready to score.

“You can talk about chances, but you don’t get paid for chances. We have got to be ready to score. We had some great looks but we didn’t get the job done. We fell a little short.”

The Gulls (.594) are now in a dogfight for a playoff spot as Texas (.591) is right behind them followed by Stockton (.582) and Ontario (.571).

Coach Dallas Eakins was far from happy with the slow start and outcome.

“(The slow start) was a real kick in the (rear),” Eakins said. “We talked about it before the game about the way they start and we need to be ready about it. We talked about our reloads, getting on top of the puck quickly, their D joining the play and that is exactly how the first goal was scored. That is a little troubling when that happens.

“Our backs are up against the wall and I did like our fight then. The thing that we have got to understand is every minute in the game is a critical one. We can’t just suddenly go, ‘OK we are going to really start trying now.’ We need to do that when the puck is dropped. Our lineup is disrupted by losing some players the last few week, but it gives opportunity. Guys getting the opportunity need to up their games so they can stay a part of the lineup.”

The Gulls lost three players during the last week to trade and callups by NHL teams. Eakins said the younger players must start to come through.

“They have been here all year,” he said. “They have worked hard at their game. Now they need to trust themselves and go play.”

CAPTION

Meet Padres pitcher Logan Allen, who had a unique high school experience, the shock of a lifetime a few months after being drafted by the Red Sox, a special relationship with his older brother and more.

Meet Padres pitcher Logan Allen, who had a unique high school experience, the shock of a lifetime a few months after being drafted by the Red Sox, a special relationship with his older brother and more.

CAPTION

Meet Padres pitcher Logan Allen, who had a unique high school experience, the shock of a lifetime a few months after being drafted by the Red Sox, a special relationship with his older brother and more.

Meet Padres pitcher Logan Allen, who had a unique high school experience, the shock of a lifetime a few months after being drafted by the Red Sox, a special relationship with his older brother and more.

CAPTION

Padres third baseman Manny Machado talks goals, family, fashion and more -- including why the Padres were a right fit for he and his family -- in this first interview after signing a 10-year, $300 million dollar deal with the Padres.

Padres third baseman Manny Machado talks goals, family, fashion and more -- including why the Padres were a right fit for he and his family -- in this first interview after signing a 10-year, $300 million dollar deal with the Padres.

CAPTION

Padres manager Andy Green officially gets to talk about Machado now. He gave his thoughts on what it means for his roster, what stood out about Machado when he had lunch with him and why a family atmosphere was so important to Machado and his wife.

Padres manager Andy Green officially gets to talk about Machado now. He gave his thoughts on what it means for his roster, what stood out about Machado when he had lunch with him and why a family atmosphere was so important to Machado and his wife.